Is the GTX 970 Overclocked Secure?
Is the GTX 970 Overclocked Secure?
10tacle :
Performance largely hinges on your GPU's quality. High-end GPUs that are factory overclocked offer the top-tier chips, providing the most stable and precise performance within their specifications. My EVGA SSC 970s run at 1190MHz on the core and 1342MHz at boost, which is roughly a 4% improvement over the standard Nvidia 970 reference. However, I can push them further to 160MHz without changing the voltage, giving a 12% boost beyond the factory setting. Such gains are hard to achieve with ordinary, standard cards.
Starting to overclock beyond these levels brings diminishing returns—higher speeds demand more voltage and generate more heat, which can shorten the GPU's lifespan.
TJ Hooker:
You're very welcome.
I use Afterburner too, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to set the temperature limit. Have you made any recent updates? Also, make sure your skin is set to one of cyborg, red cyborg, gaming, or tech.
I received a gigabyte twin turbo OC version.
Handle the GPU carefully. There are many failure reports about factory overclocked Gigabyte cards.
10tacle :
Minky7 :
I received a gigabyte twin turbo OC edition. Be cautious with that GPU; there are many failure reports about factory overclocked Gigabyte cards. It's good to know, thank you. Would you recommend any adjustments to your current clock based on this?
TJ Hooker:
Yeah, I also use Afterburner, but I’m having trouble understanding how to set the temperature limit.
You don’t have a custom fan profile in AB?
I usually keep my fans on auto. Even when I make a custom profile, there’s no place to adjust a temperature limit. If I search online and check some screenshots, it seems there should be a slider under Power Limit where you can set the temp limit, which would trigger throttling once the temperature is reached. But that slider isn’t available for me.
TJ Hooker:
Yeah, I use Afterburner too, but I’m struggling to understand how or where to adjust the temperature limit. You don’t seem to have a custom fan profile set in AB? Usually I leave my fans on auto, but even with a custom profile I can’t find a place to set a temperature limit. Looking through some screenshots online suggests there should be a slider under Power Limit for that purpose, which would trigger throttling once the temperature reaches it. But that slider isn’t available for me. It’s frustrating to repeat myself, but what skin are you using and have you updated recently?
It's good to hear, thank you. Would you recommend any adjustments to your current clock based on that? As long as you're not altering the voltage, you should be fine with the overclock you can achieve without crashes or visual issues during GPU testing. I managed to push another 160MHz from my base speed without changing the voltage. The result will depend on the chip's binning. It's mostly about avoiding voltage changes and monitoring temperatures. I have an aggressive fan/temp profile in Afterburner because of SLI and an air-cooled CPU, so keeping internal temperatures low is crucial.
Minky7 :
TJ Hooker :
10tacle :
TJ Hooker :
I use Afterburner too, but I’m still confused about how to adjust the temperature limit.
Do you have a custom fan profile configured in AB?
Usually I keep fans on auto, but even with a custom profile I can’t find an option for setting a temperature cap.
Looking at some screenshots online, it seems there should be a slider next to Power Limit where you can input the desired temperature, which would trigger throttling if reached. But that slider isn’t available for me.
Sorry for repeating, but what skin are you using and have you updated recently?
Oops, I missed your previous post. I’m on the latest version, 4.1.1.
I tried applying one of the skins you suggested and now the temperature limit slider appears, though it’s grayed out.
Edit: After checking, it looks like AMD cards don’t support a temperature limit in AB.
10tacle :
Minky7 :
Appreciate the info, thanks. Would you recommend any adjustments to your current clock based on that? As long as you're not altering the voltage, you should be fine with whatever overclock you manage without crashes or visual glitches during a GPU test. I managed to push another 160MHz from my base speed without changing the voltage. The outcome will depend on the chip's binning.
It's mostly trial and error. The key is to avoid voltage changes and monitor temperatures. I have an aggressive fan/temp profile in Afterburner because of SLI and an air-cooled CPU—keeping internal temperatures low is essential.
Likely, I'll stick with what I have since this is my first overclock attempt.